Actor Kenneth Branagh poses in the pressroom with the award for best performance by an actor in "Wallander" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Actress Anna Friel, left, and Sebastian Koch, right, pose in the pressroom with the award for best performance by an actress in "Marcella" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Kenneth Branagh attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Actress Anna Friel poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actress in "Marcella" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Kenneth Branagh attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Actress Anna Friel poses in the press room with the award for best performance by an actress in "Marcella" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Actor Steve Coogan poses in the pressroom with the award for best comedy in "Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Actor Steve Coogan poses in the pressroom with the award for best comedy in "Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle" at the at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Margot Bingham attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Freddy Rodriguez attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Steve Coogan attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Larry King attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Heléne Yorke attends the 45th International Emmy Awards at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

James Bluemel, left, and Larry King, right, pose in the press room with the award for best documentary for "Our Journey to Europe" at the 2017 International Emmys at the New York Hilton on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Kenneth Branagh, Steve Coogan and Anna Friel were among the winners at the International Emmy Awards in New York. (Nov. 21)

Branagh, Friel among winners of International Emmy Awards

By FRAZIER MOORE

Nov. 21, 2017

NEW YORK (AP) — Kenneth Branagh won the International Emmy for Best Actor, while Anna Friel won the Best Actress trophy at the 2017 International Emmy Awards gala Monday night in New York.

Branagh and Friel were among 11 winning performers and programs spanning eight countries: Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Norway, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The awards are presented annually by the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which represents more than 60 countries and 500 companies from all sectors of TV, including internet and mobile technology.

The evening was hosted by Iranian-American comedian-actor Maz Jobrani, who co-stars on the CBS sitcom "Superior Donuts."

"The International Emmys are like the World Cup of TV," Jobrani cracked, "and like the World Cup a lot of Americans don't know it's happening.

In addition, the Emmy Directorate Award was presented to Emilio Azcarraga Jean, head of Grupo Televisa, the world's largest Spanish-language content provider as well as Mexico's largest broadcaster and pay-TV provider.

Not present was Kevin Spacey, who had been announced as the 2017 recipient of the International Emmy Founders Award. His award was rescinded last month after allegations of past sexual misconduct became public.

"The Academy felt that, in light of recent events, we could not present the award to him," Academy CEO Bruce L. Paisner told the room in his opening remarks.